Competition Rules

USA Obstacle Course Racing Competition Rules held on this website is the official (authorized) reference document and is maintained based on authorized amendments in accordance with recommendations by the USAOCR Technical Committee and accepted by the USAOCR Board of Directors.

USAOCR is the sole governing body, responsible for Competition Rules for Obstacle Course Racing and it’s related Sports in the United States. Excepts from the rules are included on this page. The full competition rules can be viewed or printed from the link at the bottom of the page.

Scope

The Competition Rules ("Rules") are adopted by USA Obstacle Course Racing (USAOCR) and govern the administration of all races and events sanctioned by USAOCR. These Rules are binding on all members of USAOCR and all persons who enter or participate in any event sanctioned by USAOCR;

USAOCR is the sole governing body, responsible for Competition Rules for Obstacle Course Racing and its related sports in the United States.

Purpose

The USAOCR Technical Committee (USA OCRTC) will ensure technical aspects of USAOCR petitions are of the highest quality;

The USAOCR Competition Rules specify the conduct and behavior of athletes during USAOCR competitions.

The USAOCR Event Organizers' Manual and it's related documents set safety and logistical standards for hosting USAOCR sanctioned events and for the Local Organizing Committees (LOCs);

i) Inform a Technical Official immediately after withdrawing from the race. In case the athletes fail to do this before the end of the event, it may result a suspension.

j) Compete without receiving assistance other than from event personnel and officials.

k) Refrain from ambush marketing.

l) Not dispose litter or equipment around the course except at clearly identified places. All items must be kept with the athlete and disposed of appropriately at the end of the race.

m) Not attempt to gain unfair advantage in any wa

General Rules

These general rules shall apply to championship races. Qualification races and brand specific races may vary form these specific rules.

a) Athletes must make an honest attempt to complete all obstacles and may attempt an obstacle only one time. An athlete failing an obstacle must complete a penalty. Failure to complete the obstacle or penalty will result in DSQ.

b) The penalty shall be an athletic task that is commensurate in time to completing the obstacle.

c) Athletes shall start the race with three wrist bands. If an athlete fails an obstacle a wrist band shall be cut and removed from the athlete’s wrist.

d) If an athlete fails three or more obstacles, and consequently has had all three wristbands removed, they shall be ranked Did Not Complete (DNC.)

e) An athlete ranked DNC shall be ranked with a finish time, but cannot be ranked over an athlete who completes the course and has not failed three or more obstacles.

f) Athletes finishing with the same time shall be ranked by the number of obstacles completed. In the event the time and number of obstacles is equal, there shall be a tie.

g) Any failure to complete an obstacle, whether intentionally or not, will require completion of a penalty.

h) A penalty may be a run loop, a run loop carrying a weight, another obstacle, or other athletic task that is no less in time and effort than it takes to successfully completing the obstacle from start to finish. In general, a penalty run should start and finishes at the same location immediately after the obstacle (a run “loop”.)

i) Any athlete who is lapped on a multi-lap course must immediately leave the race course and will be DSQ.

j) Failure to comply with The Rules may result in an athlete being verbally warned, subject to an athletic penalty, disqualified, suspended, or expelled.

k) The nature of the rule violation will determine the subsequent penalty.

l) A suspension or an expulsion will occur for very serious violations of either The Rules or USAOCR Anti-Doping Rules.

m) Reasons for Penalty: An athlete may be issued a verbal warning, punished with an athletic penalty, or disqualified for failing to abide by The Rules.

The Technical Officials are allowed to assess penalties, even if the infringement is not listed, if the Technical Official deems an unfair advantage has been gained, or if a dangerous situation has been created